south africa Archives - Photo Tips, Creative Photography + Travel Guides - The Wandering Lens

Visual Hotel Review – Kapama Karula, Wild Luxury at its Finest

Lisa Michele Burns — Mon, 30 Dec 2019 08:06:36 +0000

Lodge: Kapama Karula, South Africa Whisked away in a safari vehicle minutes after arriving to Hoedspruit airport we were immediately on safari. Bam, an impala, next up a Zebra…there’s no shortage of wildlife sightings and this is just during the twenty minute transfer to the lodge. As Kapama’s flagship lodge, Karula is a total sanctuary of relaxation, offering chic suites that feel at one with their surroundings, perhaps one of the most beautifully designed properties I’ve ever seen. Wandering down the path it feels like you’re the only person there, that is except for the Nyala that spend their days happily foraging around the property. Upon opening the door to my suite (#9) I was struck down with “mouth open, can’t speak” syndrome as I was overcome by how spacious, stunning and absolutely breathtaking the room was. As you’ll see in my visual hotel review archives I’ve been lucky enough to photograph some insanely beautiful properties but there’s something special about the rooms at Karula, they’re just impressive in every sense of the word. With a sun filled deck offering the ideal vantage point, you can plunge in the pool and watch as animals roam across the Klaserie river. It’s...

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Photogenic Experiences around Hoedspruit, South Africa

Lisa Michele Burns — Fri, 08 Nov 2019 08:34:45 +0000

Blend Conservation + Wildlife Photography As the plane descends closer to the ground the air of anticipation rises…is that an elephant or a rock? Ooo zebra, nope…road grate. Perhaps I was a little too eager to spot an animal from the flight but the landscapes you fly over on the way to Hoedspruit inject a sense of adventure, even if you’re jet lagged and a little weary. Hoedspruit is located on the edge of Kruger National Park in South Africa and landing here provides access to so many photography experiences. There’s a large focus on conservation efforts and it’s by getting involved with these programs that helps provide unique opportunities to photograph wildlife while also contribute to protecting it. Capture Elephant Portraits Once you’ve experienced the presence of an elephant up close few things will compare to the power. Their mighty size and demeanor feels so calming yet obviously unpredictable however at Jabulani Safari, these cuties are used to humans and as such you can feel a little more comfortable while taking their photo. While staying at Jabulani Safari you get to watch the elephants on their daily adventures but the most special of all (in my opinion) is when...

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Behind the Lens – Rhino Notching in South Africa

Lisa Michele Burns — Sun, 22 Sep 2019 11:24:38 +0000

Conservation Efforts in South Africa – Kapama Private Game Reserve *Please note – The photos within this article may be distressing for some but please know this is a method of conservation and everything is done to ensure the safety and well being of the rhino not only during the notching, but to protect it in the future and help stop the decline of the species. September, 12th, 2019. Dust clouds dispersed and speckled morning light shone through the acacia trees as a helicopter hovered above the white rhino we were aiming to tag. It’s moments like this that humble you to the core. To witness a notching is an absolute privilege; one that’s emotional, a little confronting but so very inspiring to see the efforts being made to save such beautiful yet vulnerable creatures. With rhino populations under constant threat of poaching and habitat loss, rhino notching has become a necessary method of conservation. Trained vets, volunteers and anti-poaching units are coming together to help save the rhino population that’s been threatened since 2002. Just one rhino was killed in South Africa back in 2001 however that number rose to 1,349 in 2015 after the poaching crisis peaked, seeing...

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